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I have temporarily "shelved" my Cary preamp and am using my NAD M51 DAC straight into a Parasound A23 amplifier, and the combination is outstanding with my Ascend Acoustics Sierra 2 loudspeakers.
I'm currently using a 1m pair of single-ended Audioquest King Cobra to connect the M51 to the A23, but both units have balanced circuitry and XLR jacks.
Would like to get some feedback on whether to purchase a pair of balanced interconnects to try... Should I expect to gain some improvement running balanced over such a short distance?
I would likely buy Audioquest or Wireworld cables, but would like to hear any suggestions for alternate cable choices as well.
Thanks!
SF
Follow Ups:
SF,
whichever way you go, keep me posted. Happy Listening!
I don't think you will find any truly authoritative answer short of trying the same type of cable (well, as close as possible given the different connectors and internal wiring requirements) both ways in your own system. Everyone's opinions are just that--opinions. In my case, some 20 years ago when I had equipment that allowed balanced and single-ended, I made my own 1m cables using identical wire, and compared them a number of times. I had a clear preference for the single-ended hookup. While balanced was very smooth, it seemed to remove some life and energy from the music, and was not as rhythmically involving as the single-ended cable connection. Your mileage may vary, but that is what I noticed.
I was responding directly to you I would have posted here. That said there have been some good threads recently on the topic of balance v unbalanced. Do a forum search in the appropriate forums and you'll find some good and informative threads. One manufacturer was reported to have said in home audio even true balanced offer no real benefit and that his company offers it simply because some people want it and don't like using XLR to RCA cabling which may have to be custom made or did since not all manufacturers use the same pin outs.
ET
It would sound different just because the cables are different. Also it depends if the electronics are truly balanced or not. Never been a fan of balanced in home audio. Balanced is good in the studio for long mike cables to cut down noise
Alan
So many times " in theory" gets mistaken for always in this hobby when there are several factors at stake. XLR connectors dont always mean true balanced and cable variations as you said are among them.
ET
The equipment in question is balanced.
All I am trying to ascertain is whether an improvement is possible before laying down cash for balanced interconnects.
Let's say I replaced the single-ended King Cobras with balanced King Cobras... Same metal, same geometry, same exact cable except for the terminations.
Good chance for an improvement? No chance? Worse?
Opinions are expressed daily on this forum about cable quality, perceived performance, value, etc.
I don't see how this particular question is any different... It's just another variable.
Thanks,
SF
Contact the Cable Company and see if they have the same Audioquest cable in balanced format. They lend cables for trial. Your only cost is shipping if I remember correctly.
You might notice a difference in dynamic contrasts.When I went from single-ended to balanced,that is what I noticed.I was a firm believer in SE.If the equipment is a "balanced design",then you should give it a try.You should notice the difference in the gain structure.
Happy Listening.
Tom:cat
You may find the result to be a lateral move rather than a definite improvement. If you listen to a system in a noise prone environment, you may find practical benefit via a balanced vs. single-ended interface, but it won't guarantee across-the-board sonic betterment from a musical POV for a typical home audio application. YMMV
I concur w/ Duster.
That's pretty much what I expected, given the nature of my specific situation.
What spurred me to ask in the first place (maybe should have mentioned in the OP) was that I've read several reviews of the NAD M51 DAC stating it sounds best when directly connected to a power amp using its balanced outputs.
Music Direct is closing out its inventory of older Audioquest interconnects, and the balanced version of the King Cobra is available at a substantial discount... Perhaps I'll order a pair and judge for myself. :-)
SF
If you do buy, please keep us posted.
Cheers!
Jonesy
"I know just enough to get into trouble. But not enough to get out of it."
I thought saying it was cable dependent as the original responder a handler said was good enough. I was really responding and agreeing with his post. Sorry for the confusion
ET
Edits: 05/27/16
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